Devrim Yaylalı @devrimyaylali

NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 Returns to Istanbul for Second Visit in 2025 The NATO Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2) ships have arrived in Istanbul for a three-day port visit. The group is currently under the command of Rear Admiral Francesco Iavazzo of the Italian Navy, embarked on his flagship ITS Carlo Bergamini. The task group consists of the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS St. John’s and the Turkish frigate TCG Barbaros…

NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 Returns to Istanbul for Second Visit in 2025. NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2, led by Italian frigate ITS Carlo Bergamini, arrived in Istanbul for a 3-day visit. The task group includes HMCS St. John’s and TCG Barbaros. 🇮🇹🇨🇦🇹🇷 #NATO #Istanbul

20.10.2025 17:19 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Istanbul welcomes #SNMG2 🇹🇷

🇮🇹 ITS Carlo Bergamini (F-590)
🇨🇦 HMCS St. John’s (FFH-340)

NATO @NATO_MARCOM ships drop anchor at the crossroads of Europe and Asia ⚓✨

20.10.2025 07:44 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Lest We Forget: DM-357 TCG Muavenet On the night of 2 October 1992, tragedy struck during the NATO exercise Display Determination. The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60) accidentally launched two live Sea Sparrow missiles at her Turkish ally, the destroyer TCG Muavenet (DM-357). Five sailors — including the ship’s captain — were killed, and many more were injured. This remains the only time in NATO history that a U.S.

Lest We Forget: DM-357 TCG Muavenet
1992, tragedy struck during NATO exercise Display Determination: USS Saratoga accidentally launched two missiles at her ally TCG Muavenet, killing five sailors and crippling the ship.

03.10.2025 08:09 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

From promise to uncertainty: Türkiye’s Utility Helicopter Programme at a crossroads Türkiye has inducted its fourth T-70 utility helicopter into the Air Force Command in Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) configuration, bringing the total number of aircraft delivered under the Turkish Utility Helicopter Programme (TUHP) to 31 across the armed forces and security agencies. When Turkey launched its ambitious Turkish Utility Helicopter Programme (TUHP), the vision was bold. In 2007, the Defence Industry Executive Committee approved the programme, which involved the joint production of a general-purpose helicopter with a maximum local content and subsystems, as well as production, testing, and delivery in Türkiye.

Türkiye has inducted its fourth T-70 utility helicopter into Air Force Command bringing the total number of aircraft delivered under the TUHP to 31.
Once envisioned as a cornerstone of Türkiye’s helicopter industry, TUHP has faced delays, sanctions, and shifting operational requirements. In my…

09.09.2025 04:52 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Türkiye’s Naval Diplomacy Reaches Across a Divided Libya Libya has long been one of the sharpest points of division in Turkish foreign policy. For years, Ankara stood firmly behind the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, clashing directly with the forces of General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA). Turkish military intervention in early 2020 tipped the balance on the battlefield: with Turkish advisers, equipment, and drone support, Tripoli repelled Haftar’s advance and recaptured key locations, including the al-Watiya airbase.

Türkiye’s naval diplomacy in Libya is shifting gears. From hosting Libyan National Army commander Saddam Haftar in Ankara to TCG Kınalıada visiting both Tripoli and Benghazi — Ankara is signaling a bid to bridge rival factions and back a “United Libya.”

20.08.2025 14:11 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Al Fulk: Qatar’s Unique Multi-Role Amphibious Ship The Qatar Emiri Naval Forces’ landing platform dock (LPD) Al Fulk is currently in Istanbul, where it arrived on 16 August for a port visit that will continue until 21 August. The stop offers Turkish naval observers a chance to see firsthand one of the most unusual and ambitious ship designs to emerge in recent years. Built by Fincantieri at its Palermo and Muggiano yards, Al Fulk is more than a conventional amphibious ship—it represents a bold and creative solution to Qatar’s specific naval requirements.

The Qatari Navy’s LPD Al Fulk is in Istanbul this week, offering a rare look at one of the most ambitious naval concepts in recent years.

Built by Fincantieri, Al Fulk is not just an amphibious ship—it combines helicopter operations, amphibious lift, and a high-end air defense system in a single…

17.08.2025 18:26 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

What is the experts assessment of the crew’s repair work and damage-control actions on board of the Chinese CG?

11.08.2025 19:20 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Quo Vadis, Turkish Defence Industry? This is my sixth and final instalment regarding IDEF 2025. I have been attending these defence exhibitions since 1987, when they were still called IDEA and organised in Etimesgut, Ankara. Much has changed since those days. With the benefit of hindsight, I can say that the Turkish defence industry has now reached a plateau. It is no longer a “developing” industry in the traditional sense.

Quo Vadis, Turkish Defence Industry?

This is my sixth and final instalment regarding IDEF 2025. I have been attending these defence exhibitions since 1987, when they were still called IDEA and organised in Etimesgut, Ankara. Much has changed since those days. With the benefit of hindsight, I can…

09.08.2025 15:09 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Hürjet to Spain: A Milestone That Demands Caution IDEF 2025 Series – Instalment 5. Independence in the defence industry is a long and winding road. It is not cheap. And on top of it all, you can lose it very quickly. I’m old enough to remember that the second project Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) undertook in the late 1980s was the licensed production of CN-235 cargo planes. The aircraft was jointly developed by Spain’s CASA and Indonesia’s IPTN.

Hürjet to Spain: A Milestone That Demands Caution. Strategic autonomy can vanish fast if national firms are absorbed into multinational giants.

08.08.2025 09:00 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Strengthening the Watch: New National Ships for the Turkish Coast Guard IDEF 2025 Series – Instalment 4 One of the lesser-highlighted contracts signed during IDEF 2025—but one I personally find significant—is the agreement to procure four large patrol vessels for the Turkish Coast Guard. While this contract may not have captured as much public attention as headline-grabbing deals like the export of the KAAN fighter jet to Indonesia, its long-term impact on Türkiye’s maritime security will be substantial.

Strengthening the Watch: New National Ships for the Turkish Coast Guard. These new vessels will fill a long-overdue operational gap.

07.08.2025 18:21 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

ULAQ Goes Global: Turkey’s Trailblazing USV Brand Enters a New Phase IDEF 2025 Series – Instalment 3 One of the more interesting announcements at IDEF 2025 wasn’t about a new missile or a shiny prototype—it was about branding. The transformation of the ULAQ unmanned surface vessel (USV) program into an independent company marks a notable, if somewhat predictable, shift in Turkey’s defense industry landscape. The ULAQ brand—born from the collaboration between ARES Shipyard and Meteksan Defence—has been on the scene since 2020.

ULAQ Goes Global: Turkey’s Trailblazing USV Brand Enters a New Phase

IDEF 2025 Series – Instalment 3 One of the more interesting announcements at IDEF 2025 wasn’t about a new missile or a shiny prototype—it was about branding. The transformation of the ULAQ unmanned surface vessel (USV) program…

06.08.2025 09:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

IDEF 2025 Series – Instalment 2 Scoring at Sea: Koç Bilgi ve Savunma’s Underwater Precision Tech I must admit, I felt a twinge of nostalgia when I saw the Koç Bilgi ve Savunma booth at IDEF 2025. It’s been more than 15 years sinc…

Scoring at Sea: Koç Bilgi ve Savunma’s Underwater Precision Tech

devrimyaylali.com/2025/08/05/i...

05.08.2025 12:55 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

IDEF 2025 Series – Instalment Held biennially in Istanbul, the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) has grown into one of the world’s leading defence exhibitions—and a strategic stage for Turkey to showcase its expa…

Electro M-60: Breathing Life into a Geriatric Giant

devrimyaylali.com/2025/08/04/i...

04.08.2025 12:20 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Today, during the sleepy morning hours of this beautiful summer day, the Romanian frigate ROS Regele Ferdinand passed through Istanbul on her way home, after participating for over 40 days in Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, conducted in the Mediterranean Sea

15.06.2025 05:27 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

A Nuclear Future? Turkish Navy Reveals Ambition for Nuclear-Powered Submarines (Part 3) This is the third and final part of my series examining Türkiye’s emerging ambition to build and operate nuclear-powered submarines. In Part 1, I explored why Türkiye wants this capability. Part 2 analyzed what it would take to achieve it. Now, I look at what it would cost—not just in monetary terms, but also politically and diplomatically. The desire to construct and operate a nuclear-powered submarine is a long, winding, and uphill road.

A Nuclear Future? Turkish Navy Reveals Ambition for Nuclear-Powered Submarines (Part 3)

This is the third and final part of my series examining Türkiye’s emerging ambition to build and operate nuclear-powered submarines. In Part 1, I explored why Türkiye wants this capability. Part 2 analyzed what…

03.05.2025 06:46 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Nuclear Future? Turkish Navy Reveals Ambition for Nuclear-Powered Submarines (Part 2) This is the second part of my series on Türkiye’s newly declared ambition to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. In Part 1, I discussed why Türkiye believes it needs this capability. In this instalment, I explore what it would take—from nuclear technology and shipbuilding infrastructure to international cooperation and human capital. Following the Turkish Navy’s newly stated ambition to operate nuclear-powered submarines, this second instalment explores the feasibility of such a bold step—examining the technological, industrial, political, and legal challenges Türkiye would need to overcome.

A Nuclear Future? Turkish Navy Reveals Ambition for Nuclear-Powered Submarines (Part 2)

This is the second part of my series on Türkiye’s newly declared ambition to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. In Part 1, I discussed why Türkiye believes it needs this capability. In this instalment, I…

02.05.2025 06:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Nuclear Future? Turkish Navy Reveals Ambition for Nuclear-Powered Submarines (Part 1) I recently conducted an interview with the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu. The two-part interview is being published in Warship International Fleet Review Magazine. To read it in full, you'll need to access the magazine. One of the most significant revelations from the interview, in my view, is how the future of the Turkish Navy is being envisioned.

A Nuclear Future? Turkish Navy Reveals Ambition for Nuclear-Powered Submarines (Part 1)

I recently conducted an interview with the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu. The two-part interview is being published in Warship International Fleet Review Magazine. To read it…

01.05.2025 06:32 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Lest We Forget: TCG Dumlupınar Seventy-two years ago today, the Turkish Navy suffered its greatest peacetime loss when the submarine TCG Dumlupınar (formerly USS Blower) sank at Nara Point in the Çanakkale Strait. TCG Dumlupınar and her sister boat, TCG 1. İnönü, were returning from a NATO exercise when, at 02:15, the Swedish-flagged merchant ship M/V Naboland collided with TCG Dumlupınar at Nara Point—the narrowest and most challenging part of the strait to navigate.

Lest We Forget: TCG Dumlupınar

Seventy-two years ago today, the Turkish Navy suffered its greatest peacetime loss when the submarine TCG Dumlupınar (formerly USS Blower) sank at Nara Point in the Çanakkale Strait. TCG Dumlupınar and her sister boat, TCG 1. İnönü, were returning from a NATO…

03.04.2025 21:01 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Turkish Navy Destroys Unidentified Mine Near Kefken The Turkish Naval EOD teams destroyed another floating mine in the Black Sea today. According to a news release from the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, a mine believed to be from the Russia-Ukraine War was detected off the coast of Kefken in the Black Sea and subsequently neutralized. The type of mine was not disclosed. Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Turkish Naval Forces ships have logged over 24,000 hours at sea, while naval air assets have conducted more than 5,000 flight hours.

Turkish Navy Destroys Unidentified Mine Near Kefken

The Turkish Naval EOD teams destroyed another floating mine in the Black Sea today. According to a news release from the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, a mine believed to be from the Russia-Ukraine War was detected off the coast of Kefken…

31.03.2025 16:11 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Gökberk and Alka: Türkiye’s Evolving Laser Defense Systems Today, Aselsan shared new information regarding the tests conducted with Gökberk mobile laser weapon system. Both Aselsan and Roketsan have significantly advanced laser weapon systems, enhancing defense capabilities against modern threats such as drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These systems, when fielded, will demonstrate the nation's commitment to integrating advanced technologies into its national defense strategy. Aselsan's Gökberk mobile laser weapon system…

Gökberk and Alka: Türkiye’s Evolving Laser Defense Systems

Today, Aselsan shared new information regarding the tests conducted with Gökberk mobile laser weapon system. Both Aselsan and Roketsan have significantly advanced laser weapon systems, enhancing defense capabilities against modern threats…

10.03.2025 08:43 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

French Warships in Turkish Ports: A Sign of Rapprochement or Strategic Calculations? The French Fremm-class frigate Aquitaine arrived in Antalya this morning for a port visit. I am not a fan of the French Navy’s newly adopted policy of erasing the ships' pennant numbers. While information about the ships’ deployments is available on the internet and through other media, this removal of pennant numbers only makes life difficult for ship spotters and nothing more.

French Warships in Turkish Ports: A Sign of Rapprochement or Strategic Calculations?

The French Fremm-class frigate Aquitaine arrived in Antalya this morning for a port visit. I am not a fan of the French Navy’s newly adopted policy of erasing the ships' pennant numbers. While information about…

19.02.2025 14:22 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Turkey’s Role in NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established in Washington, D.C., in 1949 by 12 founding members. Turkey became a member of NATO on February 18, 1952. With Finland and Sweden joining NATO in 2023 and 2024, respectively, after abandoning their neutrality policies due to security concerns arising from the Russia-Ukraine war, the alliance now consists of 32 member states.

Turkey’s Role in NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established in Washington, D.C., in 1949 by 12 founding members. Turkey became a member of NATO on February 18, 1952. With Finland and Sweden joining NATO in 2023 and 2024, respectively, after abandoning their neutrality…

19.02.2025 12:39 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Analyzing North Korea’s New Warship: Speculations on Design and Capability On 10 January 2025, Joseph H. Dempsey published a detailed analysis on the IISS Military Balance Blog, shedding light on North Korea’s latest naval development. Dempsey’s report highlights the construction of the country’s largest-ever warship, providing key insights into its design, potential capabilities, and strategic implications. This development aligns with the IISS's earlier assessment, confirming the rapid evolution of North Korea’s naval projects despite significant operational and technological challenges.

Analyzing North Korea’s New Warship: Speculations on Design and Capability

On 10 January 2025, Joseph H. Dempsey published a detailed analysis on the IISS Military Balance Blog, shedding light on North Korea’s latest naval development. Dempsey’s report highlights the construction of the country’s…

20.01.2025 10:56 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Turkish navy touts strategic ambitions with Mavi Vatan 2025 drill Ankara's naval doctrine is seen by Greece and Israel as a major geopolitical challenge.

Ankara's naval doctrine is seen by Greece and Israel as a major geopolitical challenge.

16.01.2025 17:02 — 👍 1 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0

Turkish navy touts strategic ambitions with Mavi Vatan 2025 drill Ankara's naval doctrine is seen by Greece and Israel as a major geopolitical challenge.

The Turkish navy is wrapping up the weeklong Mavi Vatan 2025 exercise this week, a large-scale operation meant to showcase Ankara’s strategic maritime ambitions in the region and beyond.

My take on the topic.
www.defensenews.com/naval/2025/0...

16.01.2025 19:37 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Mavi Vatan: The Press Day The excitement began early in the morning as we prepared for our flight from Ankara to Dalaman on board a C-72 transport plane of the Turkish Naval Forces. Once we arrived at Aksaz Naval Base were first went on board the frigate TCG Salihreis for the weekly press briefing. Later we were transferred to the frigate TCG Oruçreis. This ship is fresh out of the Mid-Life Upgrade program.

Mavi Vatan: The Press Day

The excitement began early in the morning as we prepared for our flight from Ankara to Dalaman on board a C-72 transport plane of the Turkish Naval Forces. Once we arrived at Aksaz Naval Base were first went on board the frigate TCG Salihreis for the weekly press…

14.01.2025 07:34 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Advent Martı Command and Control System Integrated Into Turkish Coast Guard Aircraft Havelsan announced yesterday that it has successfully integrated its Advent Martı Command and Control System into the TCSG-553 aircraft of the Turkish Coast Guard Command. The TCSG-553 was originally equipped with Thales AMASCOS (Airborne Maritime Situation & Control System) and was commissioned under the Meltem II program in 2013. This program involved the integration of AMASCOS and its components into the CN-235 aircraft of the Turkish Navy and Coast Guard.

Advent Martı Command and Control System Integrated Into Turkish Coast Guard Aircraft

Havelsan announced yesterday that it has successfully integrated its Advent Martı Command and Control System into the TCSG-553 aircraft of the Turkish Coast Guard Command. The TCSG-553 was originally equipped with…

07.01.2025 07:59 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Mavi Vatan-2025: A Closer Look at Turkey’s Largest Naval Training Exercise The Turkish Navy is gearing up for its flagship exercise, Mavi Vatan-2025, an ambitious training operation designed to test its capabilities in challenging scenarios and foster interoperability across military branches. Rear Admiral Kenan Kaan Türkkan, Chief of Naval Operations Staff, outlined the scope and objectives of the exercise during a press briefing. Scheduled to take place in January, Mavi Vatan-2025 is part of the Turkish Armed Forces’ annual exercise program.

Mavi Vatan-2025: A Closer Look at Turkey’s Largest Naval Training Exercise

The Turkish Navy is gearing up for its flagship exercise, Mavi Vatan-2025, an ambitious training operation designed to test its capabilities in challenging scenarios and foster interoperability across military branches.…

07.01.2025 07:01 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Turkish navy starts construction of three new warships Turkish officials plan to add three domestically designed vessels to the navy's roster: a submarine, an aircraft carrier and an air-defense destroyer.

My first story of 2025! Enjoy reading. www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

03.01.2025 19:13 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Mutlu Yıllar! / Happy New Year!

31.12.2024 07:57 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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